School Organization, Part 3
GO WITH THE PAPER FLOW
Students need a system for carrying assignments and other materials to and from school. Teachers often start the year by asking students to use a particular method, such as folders. Allow time to see if your child understands that method. If he doesn't, rescue him sooner rather than later. Most teachers are amenable to a revised paper-flow system. Help your child figure out what's best for him. It will take time and experimentation, but keep trying, and listen to your child. Kids often come up with their own good ideas.
3 perfect folders
For younger students (K through three), paper flow is about where to put loose papers like permission slips, handouts, and simple homework assignments. I've found that three clear pocket-type folders in a binder work best for organizing such papers. Label the pockets "Homework to Do," "Homework Done," and "Notices." Your child should come home with all assignments in the "To Do" pocket and notes to parents in the "Notices" pocket. After completing homework, he should transfer it to the "Done" pocket to go back to school. The next day, when your child can see through his "Done" pocket, he'll know he's turned in all of his assignments.
Cue with color
As students get older, they have more materials to manage — which can be utterly confusing to an ADHD child. What works best is to gather all items into one container, so the child has a better chance of getting home with everything she needs, finding it, and then getting it back to school. One container to try: a three-ring binder with color-coded tabs to section off each subject. Ask your child which colors she associates with which subjects. For example, she might say red for science (for blood) or green for nature. Color-coding by association offers visual cues for quick access to materials. The clear pocket folders recommended for younger kids can also work well for older students, who may need to see paperwork to be reminded to attend to it.
If your student crams papers and has trouble with binders, try an accordion file instead. Again, make a section for each subject so that your child has a specific place for loose papers.
Paper transfer
Once a unit of study is finished, the materials need to be moved out of the traveling folder. Set up a desktop file box with hanging folders by subject, and encourage your child to regularly transfer her finished projects here. With this system, if she needs to look something up or find a paper later on, it will be close at hand and neatly organized by subject.
Learning to be organized is a process for your child, one that calls for your patience and consistency. If she doesn't understand right away, or at all, don't be discouraged. Over time, she'll incorporate one or two of the skills she's learned. She may still forget her jacket on the bus, but at least she'll remember to write her assignments down! Emphasize accomplishments and successes and praise your child as you continue to work with her on new skills. A parent's support and perseverance help make organizing a positive and effective experience for a child, one that will prove to be a lifetime asset.
